Gender perspectives in counseling services among university students in Kenya

Abstract:

This study investigates gender perspectives in counselling among university
students in Kenya. Due to changes in traditional social set up, individuals
have been alienated from their extended family and community that provided
the necessary support system, thus an increase in the number of people, both
males and females seeking professional therapy. University students who are
largely young adults experience emotional and psychological challenges that
require counselling. The objectives of this study were: to establish prevalence
of students seeking counselling services in universities, investigate the gender
preference of students seeking counselling services, investigate factors that
influence the gender preference of the counsellor by the client, to determine
the issues that are taken to men/women counsellors by either gender, and,
suggest recommendations for gender counselling. The study is guided by
Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. The study applied descriptive
survey research design using quantitative and qualitative data. Stratified,
simple random and purposive sampling methods were used to sample three
universities, 310 students and seven student counsellors. Data was collected
using questionnaires, in-depth interview schedules and Focus Group
Discussions Guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics
and is presented in Tables, Pie charts and Bar graphs. For qualitative data,
emerging patterns of the content analysis is presented thematically according
to research objectives. The study reveals that students are faced with many
counselling issues such as academic, psychological, social, personal,
economic, health, physical, vocational and spiritual. However, only 35% of
students with issues in both private and public universities seek counselling
services. The findings also reveal huge gender discrepancies among
university counsellors where 57% are women compared to 43% men. The
study reveals gender discrepancy among students seeking counselling in the
universities where more female students than males seek counselling services
according to 86% counsellors and 97% students. Factors which influence
gender preference of the counsellor by the client include: nature of issues to
be addressed by either gender, communication skills, previous counselling
experience of the student, methods used and availability of any gender of the
counsellor. The study findings reveal that 54% of students prefer female
counsellors as compared to 27% that prefer male counsellors. Female
counsellors are preferred for being caring, nurturing and understanding.
Issues that students discuss with university male counsellors are academic,
family, personal, peer relationship, economic and physical problems. Issues
that male and female students discuss with university female counsellors are
psychological, social, spiritual, and education/academic challenges. The study
recommends that: university counsellors should initiate vigorous campaign to
encourage male/female students to seek for counselling services. Intake
counsellors should be gender sensitive and allocate the preferred gender
according to presenting problems.

Description:

A thesis submitted to the school of humanities and social sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies of Kenyatta University.
December 2015